Flipped Book Review - Wendelin Van Drannen

You may know Flipped as the heart-warming family film starring Madeline Carroll and Callan McAuliffe. But before it hit the big screen in 2010, Flipped was a YA book written by Wendelin Van Draanen.

Courtesy of Knopf

The Beginning

Juli Baker and Bryce Loski met at age seven when Bryce’s family moved in across the street. Juli was instantly drawn to Bryce’s beautiful blue eyes and she’s been hooked ever since. Bryce, on the other hand, can’t stand Juli. He’ll do anything to avoid her.

The Nuisance

Each chapter alternates between Bryce and Juli’s perspective, telling the same story through each of their eyes. Bryce views Juli as a nuisance, who finds pleasure in strange things like raising chickens in her backyard. And his whole family looks down on the Bakers for their overgrown front yard. But while they're sitting across the street making snap judgements about their neighbors, their own family begins to fall apart.

Good Hearts

Juli’s side of the story shows why you should never judge a person before you really know them. She and her family have good hearts. Particularly Juli. She stands up for what she believes in, like trying to protect a beautiful old sycamore tree from being cut down, and giving the Loski’s free chicken eggs even though she can sell them for a profit to her other neighbours.

Changes of Heart

As the years go by, Juli begins to see that Bryce isn’t the amazing guy she always thought he was. And just as she has a change of heart, Bryce begins to see Juli in a new light. He respects her, and he even develops feelings for her.

The Bottom Line

If there’s someone in your life you find annoying, or even someone who just seems a little different, Flipped will make you rethink your opinion of them. Flipped shows readers that the world needs to be less judgemental and more understanding.